That would be a logical non-sequitur. Doesn't mean people weren't speaking out, doesn't mean that Green Day was poking the bear by releasing an anti-Bush album. As I've said in another comment, I lived through that era and there was no shortage of people criticizing Bush.

That era basically represents my 20s and I was heavily politically engaged at the time. The Dixie Chicks were the only artist that felt a heavy backlash at the time, and within two months they were playing sold out shows again. They also made the usual appearances at awards shows. Yes, there was a high tempered…

The attack against the Dixie Chicks was widely derided and mocked and often rationalized by the fact that they said it on "foreign soil." The whole charade was a distraction that lasted a period of weeks.

What about daylight savings time?

American Idiot came out in late 2004 which was around the time everybody was speaking out against Bush. It's not like American Idiot is as overtly anti-Bush as Ministry albums released during that era. It's not like everybody was on board with the Dixie Chicks getting attacked.

You know there is a considerable gap between playing to 30 people, and playing stadiums in one city while your Broadway musical plays in another. There's lots of professional musicians and professional bands in this world that manage to make a living without catering to People Magazine.

The reaction to the Dixie Chicks was over-the-top even when you consider that short time period between 9/11 and the 2004 election. Less than two months after Maine's made her statement about Bush, the Dixie Chicks were playing to sold out and receptive audiences. Outside of the bible belt most people were mystified…

They would write about the same things, except they'd actually write about the things and provide perspective on those things, instead of simply writing about being frustrated by them. We are talking about complex social issues that have many open questions, understandings, perspectives, and philosophies.

I'd understand the sentiment if most punk actually sounded somewhat like Dookie. But, then again, I've never seen this community trash music simply because it didn't suit their tastes.

It's the nature of mainstream music and the reason why lyrics tend to have the same precision as a morning horoscope. Pop bands have to make their words into attractive sound-bytes the same way political candidates do. That's why American Idiot sounds like the rantings of a college junior.

They are not loosing their cred as activists. They're loosing their cred as regular people struggling with life and the system.

There was a band touring around here 10 years ago that did a country version of The Wall. They had a lot of stories involving irate Pink Floyd fans and the 'insult' to such an 'important' album. My favourite story was the guy who wrote a poem and burned it in front of them.

You're just crazy. Fool in the Rain is filled with a lot of musical deliciousness, and loose playing.

For Zep and Floyd became the great musical conversation spoilers. I always wanted to talk about the music I was listening to, and then the conversation would turn into to "Led Zeppelin are Gods right?" or "Dark Side is a perfect album." Admittedly I did develop a particular disdain for Zep but it wasn't so much "they…

There is a point where the level exposure has an effect on how you perceive a particular song. Your brain starts connecting it with mundane events, bad commentary, buying lottery tickets, bad jokes, and waiting for the beginning of a movie. It makes it more difficult to have personal feelings about the song.

It doesn't even go that far. Most people pull their reasons for one artist being more authentic than other out of their ass. Didactic is the word. Especially people who mention real artists playing real instruments.

If I had name one right now it would be "Lightning Crashes" by Live. The song is just full of itself, and it's really just over-dramatic musical candy.

His only forgivable action was Attila.

There is a particular style shared among INXS and Bruce Springsteen style of sax is downright irritating, and almost ruined the instrument for me. These days I'm happy to argue that the sax is a superior instrument to the guitar, but that comes from hearing a lot of jazz.

The accordion also has Tiger Lilies.